Friday, December 27, 2013

My Classic Comic Collection 6-Pack from PCH (Publishers Clearing House) arrived in the mail yesterday. The package was in an over sized padded envelope. I received six comics and a unopened package of stickers instead of actual trading cards.

First up is Superman #78 with a bonus Man of Tomorrow poster and a die-cut cover:

I actually don't have this issue but I do have #77 and #81.

I have no issues of Top Cow/Image's Battle of the Planets #3 so this was a pleasant surprise:

I only have a few comics from Continuity Comics and Earth 4 Deathwatch 2000 #3 is not one of them. In fact, I don't have any in that series or the first Earth 4 series. The kicker for me was the cool Firebat trading card that came with it. The issue has a wraparound cover but I'm only showing the front cover:

Too bad that CyberForce #25 is not from the original series. This is from volume two with a chromium wraparound cover but I'm only showing the front cover:

Sweet, a Johnny Quest #23 from Comico that also has a wraparound cover (yep, you guessed it, I'm only showing the front):

Finally, I received The 'Nam from Marvel Comics (I needed this issue for I have #1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 14, 22, 49, and 50):

I was a little bummed out about getting Batman Forever Movie Photo Stickers instead of actual trading cards. I received #5, 10, 43, 50, and 67.

Overall, not a bad selection of comics since I didn't have any of them plus two helped fill some holes in my collection. I do wish that the stickers were actual trading cards but at least they were from Batman Forever and not My Little Pony or something even worse. However, I doubt that I will order another grab bag like this from PCH anytime soon.

Merry Christmas and here is a shot of cosplayers Liz Katz dressed as Catwoman sitting on Santa's lap with Sam Macaroni dressed as Batman (photo courtesy of Happy Holidays from Gotham City Mall, where you can view more pictures of the trio):

Saturday, December 21, 2013

I was surprised to discover that the local Dillons grocery store had a vending machine offering pencil top erasers featuring character logos from DC Comics. I put in my fifty cents and managed to score a Batman pencil top eraser. It measures one inch long and a little over half an inch high. The black bat is raised a bit on the top. I would have tried for more but I didn't have any more quarters (I had plenty of pennies, dimes and nickles but I noticed that none of the vending machines took those anymore).

Here is the DC Comic pencil top erasers insert as it looked in the vending machine at Dillons (picture courtesy of Gumball):

The usual superheroes are there: Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, and The Flash. Unfortunately, Robin gets one instead of Wonder Woman or Aquaman.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

I actually found two mysterious figures together in a bag at a local thrift store a few weeks ago. They came with a Captain America Happy Meal figure minus his shield, a Chuck from Planet 51 (I think that was the astronaut's name), and a Hunchback figure in the king jester outfit. The bag of figures was picked up for a quarter. They are not truly action figures since they do not have any moving parts so they are more like mini figurines.

First up is the mysterious cavalry figure. He looks like General Custer but with brown hair, mustache and goatee instead of blond. There are no markings on him and stands at two inches. He is decked out in a blue hat, gloves and uniform with yellow trim. His sword is yellow too. The mysterious cavalry figure could be a Grand Marshall of a parade for all I know.

Next up is a mysterious beast figure that stands about one inch and three fourths high. He is brown with a gray helmet and shoulder/breast harness. "2010 Mattel Inc" is written on the back of his left arm in very tiny print and "B2" is written on the bottom of his left foot. The bottom of his feet also has different size holes, which makes me wonder if he was made to fit on something. The back of his head and back has holes. I have a feeling that I have seen the mysterious beast figure somewhere before but I just can't place where. He does have a long tail, which makes me think that he is a lion man in space fantasy armor.

If anyone reading this post has any clue about these mysterious figures, then please feel free to make a comment.

Friday, December 13, 2013

I found a Doctor Who mug from 1987 at a local thrift store yesterday afternoon. One side has the classic logo while the other side has a "ghost" TARDIS. Originally, this was offered as a thank you gift to those who donated to their local PBS stations.

The TARDIS is supposed to be blue and disappear when you add any hot beverage. I'm thinking the previous owner either used it too much or washed it in the dishwasher.

I only paid a quarter for it and I wanted it for the classic Doctor Who logo.

Friday, December 06, 2013

I have been waiting patiently for PCH (Publishers Clearing House) to finally offer something of interest to me other than "historic" coin collections (I haven't bought any of those for they are out of my budget). They are finally offering a Classic Comic Collection 6-Pack, which is really a grab bag so who knows what issues one will get but at least there will be at least one Superman, Batman or Spider-Man title. However, this offer also includes at least five unopened comic book trading cards, which sealed the deal for me. The price is $19.96, which is not bad considering the price of today's comic books and trading cards. I will post about which comics and cards I receive. Yes, this is my Christmas present to myself this year.

Tuesday, December 03, 2013

I was very disappointed with Dark Shadows #23 from Dynamite. This is the final issue of the series and felt rushed in a bad way. Mostly it centers around Emma, David Collins' friend that was turned into a vampire earlier in the series. She is seen talking to a shrink in a mental hospital before narrating flashbacks telling what happened to her after she escaped the possessed Barnabas Collins and his evil vampire crew. Emma tried to head back to David but was intercepted by Quentin Collins and his vampire hunter crew. Thanks to Blair's magic, Emma was shown several alternate futures with all of them having her turning David into a vampire. They buried her and she dreams of happier times. However, her story was far from done and she was unearthed by Barnabas and Jackie twenty years later. She was made human by the magical necklace that caused all the problems in the first place before she noticed a grown up David sitting in the car. Of course, the shrink doesn't believe all this and starts to take the magical necklace off. That's it and there is no mention of how the good Barnabas regained possession of his body. I would have liked at least one of two more issues before this one. I still like the cover art by Francesco Francavilla and the interior artwork by Nacho Tenorio.